Dave, I'm shooting with the same Lexar 1000X as you are in the slot. I know the focus system is brilliant in comparison, so i'm hoping that makes up for the lost fps..

Essentially I'm trying to justify to myself that I 'need' the 1dx when really, for what I shoot a mk3 would be adequate!

Do you use the in camera HDR or photo stacking in your 5d3?

IMO, the keeper rate improvement more than makes up for the lost 2-fps.

Only occasionally do I shoot a multi-shot HDR, but I do it several times per year when I'm shooting landscape, for instance, and the DR is too high for the camera. It works hunky dory. I only do "realistic" HDR, but 3-shot over/under burst are easy as pie.

I mostly shoot birds in flight and wildlife and find that bursts of 2 to 4 give me the most in-focus shots, with the best compositon. For a slow moving big bird, or a plane, I can hold the shutter down until the buffer fills, but I don't think that generally will give me a better result. Instead, I try to do my shorter bursts at the peaks of action, but that's just my style of shooting. If you like to hold the shutter down, then the 1DX would be the ultimate weapon. Also, it's high-ISO performance is exceptional. Still, with the price difference, you can buy some really nice L-series lenses.

If you have the lenses that you need and you could really use the 12-fps and other fast features of the 1DX, I don't think that you'd regret buying one. I've never regretted "investing" in my 500mm lens and I'm seriously considering doubling my investment to get into the new Series II 600mm. It's only money...

I too never regret investing in glass as well, properly treated those lenses are going to last a long time! bodies however come and go. Its a rough one! From your personal experience, how well weather sealed is your 5d3? It gets pretty wet here in Vancity

I too never regret investing in glass as well, properly treated those lenses are going to last a long time! bodies however come and go. Its a rough one! From your personal experience, how well weather sealed is your 5d3? It gets pretty wet here in Vancity

I used my 5D MkII in light rain and heavy snow with no protection and no ill effects. It worked well down to -14F. I'd expect the MkIII to do as well or better. In heavy rain you'll need a raincoat for it. Art Morris, over at birdphotographers.net knocked two 1D bodies out of service using them in soaking rain without protection, so I don't think it's wise to rely totally on weather sealing; however, I have no problem using my 5D MkIII or my 7D in light rain and/or heavy snow and extreme temps.

Yeah, any body, even a 1D, will be worth $500 in the not too distant future. Pro lenses, OTOH, can actually appreciate and seldom lose more than 20% of their value.

The investment difference is so great that you might want to rent a 5D MkIII for a week to see if it can fulfill your needs. You'll be blown away by the AF, I predict.

I totally agree! Try finding a canon 50mm f1.0 L, you'll pay much more than the original retail price, same with a bunch of the long lenses, as I'm sure you know.

I'll certainly be making the leap from the 7D to a full frame, the question is just whether I keep the 7 as a backup to a 5dmk3 or let it go to a friend and solely shoot with a 1dX.

The only crop lens I have left is my sigma 4.5f2.8 Circ fisheye.. and I dont use it enough to warrant keeping my crop body to use it on! The rest are all L lenses and well chosen to suit what I shoot. Theres only one upgrade I plan to make and thats from my 70-200f4L IS to the new version II 2.8L IS of the same.. but again, they are SO close in sharpness that its not a big concern. I'll wait for a price drop or sale

I totally agree! Try finding a canon 50mm f1.0 L, you'll pay much more than the original retail price, same with a bunch of the long lenses, as I'm sure you know.

I'll certainly be making the leap from the 7D to a full frame, the question is just whether I keep the 7 as a backup to a 5dmk3 or let it go to a friend and solely shoot with a 1dX.

The only crop lens I have left is my sigma 4.5f2.8 Circ fisheye.. and I dont use it enough to warrant keeping my crop body to use it on! The rest are all L lenses and well chosen to suit what I shoot. Theres only one upgrade I plan to make and thats from my 70-200f4L IS to the new version II 2.8L IS of the same.. but again, they are SO close in sharpness that its not a big concern. I'll wait for a price drop or sale

I kept my 7D as backup, but I normally carry both bodies when shooting birds and wildlife. I've got the 500mm on the 5D3 and usually my 70-200mm f/4L IS on the 7D. However, the AF is so much better that I literally hate using the 7D for birds in flight. OTOH, I'll probably buy a 7D MkII when it comes out, assuming that it gains the same AF as the 5D3. The lower pixel-pitch (higher density) does give it significantly more reach than the full-frame camera when focal length limited.

I have no desire for the 70-200/f2.8 II because I'm already carrying the 500mm at the same time and the extra weight doesn't buy me much. If it did buy one, it'd be for concerts and indoor sports and I'd keep my f/4 as my main 70-200mm.

If you don't carry two bodies, the 7D is going to sit on the shelf and be of little value. It may be hard to believe, but once you work with the new AF system in the 1DX and 5D3, you'll be really frustrated by the 7D. I'll be shooting really great sharp images with my 500mm on the 5D3, then grab a 70-200mm shot on the 7D and be really frustrated to see the same technique use a soft shot on the 7D. What might seem acceptable now, just doesn't work once you try to new system.

If you don't carry two bodies, the 7D is going to sit on the shelf and be of little value. It may be hard to believe, but once you work with the new AF system in the 1DX and 5D3, you'll be really frustrated by the 7D. I'll be shooting really great sharp images with my 500mm on the 5D3, then grab a 70-200mm shot on the 7D and be really frustrated to see the same technique use a soft shot on the 7D. What might seem acceptable now, just doesn't work once you try to new system.

Dave

Every time I read things like this I keep thinking about liquidating gear just to fund a 5D MkIII.